Reportmain

Date de l'assemblée
vendredi 27 février 2015 10:00
Lieu de l'assemblée
Halle Saint-Jacques, Bâle (entrée Brüglingerstrasse/St. Jakobs-Strasse)
Type d'assemblée
Assemblée générale ordinaire
ISIN CH0012005267, Telekurs 1200526
Points marquants de l'ordre du jour
Positions de vote
Au POINT 5, le conseil propose une révision complète des statuts pour mettre en oeuvre l'ordonnance Minder. Ethos regrette la décision du conseil de proposer un seul
Analyse de l'assemblée
vote prospectif sur les rémunérations variables de la direction générale. Cela signifie que
Informations sur la
les actionnaires vont voter sur une enveloppe de rémunération maximale de la direction générale pour l'année qui suit l'assemblée générale. Ethos souligne que le projet de
révision du Code des Obligations qui est actuellement mis en consultation par le Conseil
Rapport de rémunération
fédéral interdit le vote prospectif sur la rémunération variable. Ethos recommande de voter CONTRE (points 7.4.a, 7.4.b, 7.4.j, 7.4.k, 7.4.m des lignes directrices d'Ethos).
Conseil d'administration
Au POINT 6.2, le conseil propose un vote contraignant et prospectif sur la rémunération
totale de la direction générale pour l'année 2016. Le conseil demande une rémunération maximale totale de CHF 84 millions pour les 9 membres de la direction, dont CHF 69 millions sous forme de rémunération variable qui sera payée en partie en 2017 et en partie en 2019. Ethos ne peut pas approuver un tel montant aussi longtemps en avance alors que les objectifs de performance ne sont pas encore définis. Ethos recommande de voter CONTRE (points 4.3.b, 4.4.b des lignes directrices d'Ethos).
Au POINT 6.3, le conseil propose un vote consultatif du rapport de rémunération 2014, afin de permettre aux actionnaires d'émettre des critiques concernant la rémunération payée en 2014. Ethos salue la transparence du rapport de rémunération et les améliorations substantielles du système de rémunération dès 2014. Bien qu'Ethos n'a pas de critiques concernant le lien entre la rémunération et la performance, Ethos considère que le levier maximum de 9 fois le salaire de base pour la rémunération variable reste excessif. Ethos recommande de voter CONTRE (point 4.1.b des lignes directrices d'Ethos).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Positions de vote
Positions de vote
1. Aperçu de l'Assemblée Générale
1.1 Positions de vote à l'assemblée générale
Position de vote
Approbation du rapport annuel, des comptes consolidés et des
Décharge aux membres du conseil d'administration et de la
direction générale
Décision sur l'emploi du bénéfice et sur le dividende
Réduction du capital par annulation d'actions
Modification des statuts: Mise en oeuvre de l'ORAb
Votes sur la rémunération du conseil d'administration et de la direction générale
Vote contraignant prospectif sur la rémunération du Conseil
d'administration de l'assemblée générale de 2015 à celle de 2016
Vote contraignant prospectif sur la rémunération totale du Comité
de direction pour le cycle de performance se terminant en 2016
Vote consultatif sur le rapport de rémunération 2014
Elections au conseil d'administration
Réélection du Dr. Jörg Reinhardt comme Président du Conseil
Réélection du Dr. Dimitri Azar
Réélection du Prof. Dr. Verena Briner
Réélection du Prof. Dr. oec. Srikant Datar
Réélection de Mme Ann M. Fudge
Réélection de M. Pierre Landolt
Réélection du Dr. iur. Andreas von Planta
Réélection du Prof. Dr. Charles L. Sawyers
Réélection du Dr. Enrico Vanni
Réélection de M. William Winters
Election du Dr. Nancy C. Andrews
Elections au comité de rémunération
Réélection du Prof. Dr. oec. Srikant Datar au comité de
Réélection de Mme Ann M. Fudge au comité de rémunération
Réélection du Dr. Enrico Vanni au comité de rémunération
Election de M. William Winters au comité de rémunération
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Positions de vote
Réélection de l'organe de révision
Réélection du représentant indépendant
1.2 Résultats des votes de l'assemblée générale du mardi 25 février 2014
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Positions de vote
Position de vote
Approbation du rapport annuel, des comptes
consolidés et des comptes annuels
Décharge aux membres du conseil
d'administration et de la direction générale
Décision sur l'emploi du bénéfice et sur le
Votes consultatifs sur la rémunération des
membres du Conseil d'administration et du Comité de direction
Vote consultatif sur la rémunération totale du
Conseil d'administration de l'Assemblée générale de 2014 à celle de 2015
Vote consultatif sur la rémunération totale du
Comité de direction pour le cycle de performance se terminant en 2013
Elections au conseil d'administration
Réélection du Dr. Jörg Reinhardt et son élection 98 %
comme Président du Conseil d'administration au cours du même vote
Réélection du Dr. Dimitri Azar
Réélection du Prof. Dr. Verena Briner
Réélection du Prof. Dr. oec. Srikant Datar
Réélection de Mme Ann M. Fudge
Réélection de M. Pierre Landolt
Réélection de Prof. h.c. Dr. rer. pol. Ulrich
Réélection du Dr. iur. Andreas von Planta
Réélection du Prof. Dr. Charles L. Sawyers
Réélection du Dr. Enrico Vanni
Réélection de M. William Winters
Elections au comité de rémunération
Election de M. Prof. Dr. oec. Srikant Datar au
comité de rémunération
Election de Mme Ann M. Fudge au comité de
Election de M. Prof. h.c. Dr. rer. pol. Ulrich
Lehner au comité de rémunération
Election du Dr. Enrico Vanni au comité de
Election de l'organe de révision
Election du représentant indépendant
Détail des présences :
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Positions de vote
Le taux de présence à l'assemblée générale 2014 était de 62% des actions avec droit de vote. Les voix étaient représentées comme suit:
Représentant indépendant : 88%
Actionnaires présents dans la salle : 12%
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
Analyse de l'assemblée
2. Proxy Analysis
Approve annual report, financial statements and accounts
The board of directors requests shareholder approval of the company's annual report and of the annual and consolidated accounts for the fiscal year 2014.
Company performance in 2014 (see detailed figures in section 3.3 of this report)
- Total Revenues variation in 2014
- Total Revenues variation (3-year annualised)
- Operating Margin 2014
- Operating Margin 2013
- Net Income variation
- Return on Equity 2014
- Return on Equity 2013
- Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
During the year under review, Novartis' net sales stood at prior year's level at USD 58 billion despite the patent expiry of Diovan and the impact of generic competition.
The pharma division remains the largest division with sales of USD 32 billion representing 55% of the Group sales and 79% of the Group operating income (excluding corporate income and expenses). The growth products that now represents 43% of the division's net sales (37% in 2013) mitigated the impact of increasing generic competition, especially in the US and in Japan. Alcon, the eye care division, represents 19% of Group sales (USD 11 billion) and 15% of Group operating income. Sandoz, the generic division, accounted for USD 9.5 billion, or 16% of the Group net sales and 10% of Group operating income (USD 1 billion). The Vaccines and Diagnostics division and the Consumer Health division are now included in the discontinuing operations of Novartis due to the major pending transactions. The discontinuing operations accounted for USD 6 billion or 10% of Group sales and generated an operating loss of USD 353 million.
Novartis announced on 22 April 2014 a major portfolio transformation by exchanging with GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) certain assets, building global leadership in key segments. Under the agreement, Novartis acquired GSK oncology product and divested Vaccines (excluding flu) to them. The two companies have also created a joint venture, combining their consumer divisions to create a world-leading consumer healthcare business. Separately, Novartis announced a definitive agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) to divest the Animal Health Division, further focusing Novartis' portfolio on the leading businesses of innovative pharmaceuticals, eye care and generics.
Novartis presents a comprehensive annual report which includes a detailed management discussion and analysis, a detailed corporate governance section, a comprehensive remuneration report and a summary CSR report with key indicators. Additionaly, Novartis will publish a dedicated CSR report later in the year. Since 2014, Novartis reports in accordance with the G4 framework.
Ethos has no special concerns regarding the accuracy of the company's financial statements and accounts. As required by the Swiss Code of Obligations, the auditors confirmed that an internal control system designed for the preparation of financial statements exists as of 31 December 2014. Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
Discharge board members and executive management
The board of directors requests shareholders to discharge its members as well as those of the executive management of their responsibilities for their management of the company for the fiscal year 2014.
In line with the Swiss Code of Obligations, shareholders are requested to release the members of the board of directors from liability for their activities during the fiscal year under review. Shareholders that grant the discharge lose their right to file claims against the members of the board of directors for activities carried out during the year relating to facts that have been disclosed to shareholders. Nevertheless, all shareholders maintain their rights to file claims for facts that have not been disclosed to shareholders when the discharge was granted.
Novartis is involved in several legal actions. In Japan, a subsidiary is accused of undisclosed conflict of interest related to Japanese post-registration investigator initiated trials (IIT) regarding Valsartan. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) issued a business improvement order in July 2014 and is in the process of determining any additional sanctions against the subsidiary which could potentially include a temporary suspension of certain business activities.
In March 2014, the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) imposed to Novartis a fine equivalent to USD 125 million further to an investigation to assess whether Novartis and Roche colluded to preserve the market position of Lucentis in Italy due to the competition of the off-label Avastin. Novartis, as required by Italian law, has paid the fine and filed an appeal, which was rejected by the Tribunale amministrativo regionale del Lazio. Novartis intends to appeal this decision. The Italian Ministry of Health declared its intention to seek a total equivalent of approximately USD 1.4 billion in damages from Novartis and Roche entities based on the above allegations and the Lombardia region has sent a payment request equivalent to approximately USD 71 million to Novartis.
The auditor's reports are not qualified and Ethos considers that these facts do not warrant withholding the discharge at this stage. Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Approve allocation of income and dividend
The board of directors proposes that the amount at the disposal of the AGM be allocated as follows:
Net income of the Holding Company for the financial year 2014
At the disposal of the AGM
Payment of dividend
Carry forward to statutory accounts
Consolidated Net Income
Free Cash Flow (Cash flow from operating activities - Capital expenditures) CHF
Dividend per Share
2.60 (2013: 2.45)
Dividend Yield (based on the share price at year-end)
Net Debt (Current and non-current debt - Cash and cash equivalents -
Marketable securities)
For the year under review, the board proposes to further increase the dividend to CHF 2.60 per share from CHF 2.45 last year. The total payout corresponds to approx. 63% of the consolidated net income. Upon approval of this proposal, the dividend will be paid as of 5 March 2015. The last trading day with entitelement to receive dividend is 2 March 2015.
The proposed dividend being covered by the consolidated net income and consolidated free cash flow, Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
Reduce share capital via cancellation of shares
The board of directors proposes to reduce the company's share capital by CHF 14'600'000 via the cancellation of 29'200'000 shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.50. This corresponds to a 1.1% reduction of the issued share capital. The new share capital shall amount to CHF 1'338'496'500 divided into 2'676'993'000 registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.50. The shares were repurchased on a seconding trading line on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
The proposal is in connection with the sixth tranche of the CHF 10 billion buyback programme approved by the 2008 AGM. Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Amend articles of association: Implementation of the Minder ordinance
In view of the entry into force of the Minder ordinance on 1 January 2014, the board proposes an extensive revision of the company's articles of association.
Ethos regrets that the board proposes a single vote for the entire revision of the articles of association ignoring the legal principle of "unity of content". The main amendments are the following:
A) General Adaptations to the Minder Ordinance
Currently, the company's articles of association are not in line with the new regulation and several articles need to be adapted. In particular, the following provisions will be added:
Article 17: The new powers of the general meeting of shareholders (election of the chairman of the board, the members of the remuneration committee and the independent proxy, as well as approval of the remuneration of the members of the board of directors and the executive management).
Article 20: The new term of office of the members of the board of directors (1 year).
Article 24: The new duties of the board of directors (preparation of the remuneration report).
Article 14: The representation of shareholders at the general meetings either by another registered shareholder holding a written proxy or by the independent proxy. Article 14 also gives the possibility to shareholders to give instructions electronically to the independent proxy (remote vote).
Article 27: This new article regulates the organisation and powers of the remuneration committee that is elected by the AGM. It is important to note that the remuneration committee is not entitled to decide on the remuneration amounts but makes recommendation for approval to the whole board.
B) Provisions Related to Remuneration
The board proposes to add several articles to the articles of association in order to introduce the provisions related to remuneration required by the Minder ordinance. In particular, the new provisions regulate the following matters:
Modalities for Remuneration Votes
Article 29: The board proposes that the votes on remuneration, that will be submitted to shareholders at the 2015 AGM and onward, will be forward-looking (prospective votes). Shareholders will therefore vote prospectively on the maximum aggregate amount to be paid to the board of directors from one AGM to the next. For the executive committee, the proposed amount of remuneration (fixed and variable) covers the next fiscal year (the 2015 AGM approves the remuneration budget for the 2016 financial year).
Ethos considers that a prospective vote on variable remuneration that is based on commercially sensitive information is not in the spirit of the Swiss constitution. Furthermore, the project of revision of Swiss company law that is currently in consultation forbids prospective votes on variable remuneration. Ethos therefore cannot approve Novartis' proposal to implement ex-ante votes on the variable remuneration of the executive management. In fact, in order to approve maximum potential amounts, Ethos would require extensive transparency with regard to the pay-for-performance connection (i.e. the disclosure of precise performance targets and the corresponding variable remuneration), which companies are not willing to disclose in advance. As illustrated by the agenda of the 2015 AGM (see ITEM 6.2), the company will not communicate any performance targets triggering the payment of the total remuneration budget.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
Type of Remuneration for the Governing Bodies
Article 31: The proposed amendment mentions the type of remuneration that the members of the board of directors and the executive committee will receive. The members of the board will receive a fixed remuneration in cash and shares. The value of the shares cannot exceed the remuneration in cash. The members of the executive management will receive a fixed remuneration in cash, an annual bonus in cash and shares, as well as a long-term incentive plan in shares.
Article 32: The proposed article states that the payment of annual bonuses will depend on the achievement of financial performance targets, as well as personal targets. The article mentions that the variable remuneration is capped but does not mention the effective level of that cap. Ethos regrets the absence of such information in the articles of association. The projet of revision of the Swiss company law foresees Articles of association of listed companies must include such a quantitative cap.
Reserve for New Hires
Article 30: In case of new hires subsequent to the approval by the AGM of the remuneration package, article 30 authorises the company to pay up to 40% of the aggregate amount of remuneration of the executive committee last approved by the AGM.
Based on the CHF 84 million total remuneration requested at this AGM for the executive committee (see item 6.2), the company would be allowed to pay up to CHF 36 million of additionnal remuneration to new joiners (between two AGMs). The additionnal remuneration amount is not pro-rata temporis. Ethos prefers that individual limits are set to avoid that a single large payment is made to a new joiner.
C) Further Provisions
In line with art. 12 of the Minder ordinance, the following additional matters must be regulated in the company's articles of association:
Notice Period and Employment Contracts
Article 33: The proposed article is in line with the Minder ordinance, which prohibits employment contracts and notice periods longer than 1 year. However, under article 33 para 2 of the articles of association, the contracts of the members of the executive management may contain a non-compete clause of up to 12 months against a total annual remuneration (base salary and annual incentive last paid to the member of the executive committee).
Ethos regrets the possibility to include such a clause in the executive contract as it allows Novartis to pay up to two years' remuneration upon resignation of an executive which can be seen as a "disguised golden parachute".
Activities Outside the Group
Article 34: Under the proposed article, the members of the board of directors and the executive committee can have up to 10 mandates in the governing bodies of other listed companies of which 4 mandates in listed legal entities. Ethos welcomes that Novartis will consider a chairmanship of a listed company as two mandates. All mandates have to be approved by the board of Novartis.
For the members of the management, article 34 allows up to 6 additional mandates of which 2 in listed companies. Members of the executive management of Novartis are not allowed to hold any chairmanship in a listed company. Ethos considers that two mandates in listed companies for the member of the executive committee is excessive.
Article 35 stipulates that no loans or credits shall be granted to the members of the board or the executive committee which Ethos welcomes.
In view of the above concerns, in particular the prospective vote on the variable remuneration of the executive management, Ethos recommends to OPPOSE (points 7.4.a, 7.4.b, 7.4.j, 7.4.k, 7.4.m of Ethos' guidelines).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
Votes on the remuneration of the board of directors and the executive management
Binding prospective vote on the remuneration of the Board from 2015 AGM to
The board of directors requests shareholder approval of the total maximum remuneration to be paid to the board of directors for the period from the 2015 to the 2016 AGM (prospective vote).
A) Board Proposal
The board requests a maximum total amount of CHF 7'745'000 for the 11 members of the board (including the chairman). In the meeting agenda, the amount is broken down as follows:
Joerg Reinhardt, chairman of the board
10 other board members
In 2014, CHF 8.7 million were paid to the board members (including leavers) or CHF 8.23 million for the 11 members who acted throughout 2014. The requested amount is therefore below the 2014 total remuneration. The chairman's remuneration in 2014 was CHF 3.95 million. The proposed remuneration therefore represents a 4% decrease. The average remuneration of the other board members is CHF 394'000 per year.
B) Comparison to Company Peers
Median remuneration of chairmen of peer companies in 2013 (SMI
Median remuneration of other board members of peer companies in 2013
The potential remuneration of the chairman is 331% higher than the median of the peer group (18% higher than the peer group for the other board members).
Ethos assessement
Ethos considers that the remuneration of the board chairman remains high when compared to the other chairmen of international pharmas included in Novartis' peer group and chairmen of SMI companies. However, Ethos notes that the comparison with non Swiss companies is difficult for such a position. In fact, among the 12 companies included in Novartis' peer group, 6 have combined functions of chairman and CEO. Compared to the other companies where the functions are split, the chairman's role can be very different. Therefore, Ethos considers that it is more adequate to compare Mr. Reinhardt's remuneration with the remuneration of other chairmen of large Swiss listed companies (see above figure).
With regards to SMI chairmen, Mr. Reinhardt's remuneration of CHF 3.8 million is above the median. Novartis mentions in its remuneration report that it compares the remuneration of its chairman to the remuneration of the chairmen of ABB, Credit Suisse, Holcim, Nestlé, Roche, Syngenta and UBS. Based on Ethos' data, the median remuneration of the chairmen of this peer group is CHF 3.4 million. Ethos considers that his remuneration has to be analysed in light of his workload and commitment to Novartis. Ethos therefore regrets that Novartis has not disclosed whether Mr. Reinhardt is a full time chairman. When asked, Novartis informed Ethos that Dr. Reinhardt's time commitment is between 50% and 100%. Novartis considers him as an independent non-executive chairman. Ethos considers that Novartis should disclose more information in this respect in order to allow assessment of the appropriateness of this remuneration level.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
Regarding the other board members, Ethos observes that their remuneration is largely above the remuneration paid to the board members of other international companies. However, Ethos considers it more relevant to compare the remuneration of board members of a Swiss listed company to that of other Swiss peers. In fact, the role of board members in Swiss companies includes both strategic guidance to the management and supervisory functions which is not always the case in other countries. Compared to other SMI companies, the proposed remuneration of non-executive board members remains above the median. However, when looking at the market capitalisation of Novartis (CHF 250 billion at year-end 2014), the responsibilities of board members and their involvement in the company, the proposed fee structure is acceptable.
C) Ethos' Recommendation
While the remuneration level of the board chairman remains high compared to other non-executive chairmen of international pharma companies included in Novartis' peer group, Ethos believes that the remuneration of Mr. Reinhardt is in line with his time commitment and specific roles. Regarding the fees of the other board members, Ethos also considers them to be high. They however reflect the increasing responsibilities of board members of Swiss listed companies, in particular of the size of Novartis (among the top 20 world largest companies) and the need to attract highly qualified non-executive directors. As mentioned under section 4.1 of this analysis, the total remuneration of the board members has significantly decreased since 2011 which was the first full year of Mr. Vasella as non-executive chairman. The total remuneration envelope of the board has decreased from CHF 20 million in 2011 to CHF 7.75 million for the year 2015/16. Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Binding prospective vote on the total remuneration of the executive management
for the financial year 2016
The board of directors requests shareholder approval of the total maximum remuneration to be paid to the executive management for the 2016 financial year (prospective vote).
A) Board Proposal
The board requests a maximum amount of CHF 84'000'000 to be paid to the 9 members of the executive management (including the CEO). In the meeting agenda, the amount is broken down as follows:
Maximum Short-term incentive*
Maximum Long-term incentive (assuming constant share price at vesting
Pension contributions and other benefits
* The amount requested for the short-term incentive corresponds to the maximum that can be paid out in early 2017 in case of overachievement of targets in relation to the performance during the 2016 financial year.
** The amount requested for the long-term incentive corresponds to the maximum that can be granted in the 2016 financial year for the performance period 2016-2018 that will vest in early 2019 with vesting level of 200%. Ethos notes that this amount does not include the share price appreciation factor. This means that upon vesting in 2019, the amount received can be higher in case of increase in Novartis' share price.
B) Ethos' Appraisal of the Requested Amount
B.1) Base salaries (CHF 9.5 million)
The proposed amount for the base salaries covers 9 members of the executive management. In 2014, the executive management included 11 members. CHF 8.8 million were paid to the same 9 members of the executive management as base salaries. According to the breakdown provided by the company, the requested amount therefore allows for a 8% increase in the base salaries of the executive management. The potential increase is not explained in the meeting agenda.
According to Novartis' data, the median of the 2014 base salaries of the CEO of 12 international pharma companies was CHF 1'592'000 (exchange rates on 31.12.2014).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
With a 2014 base salary of CHF 2 million, Novartis CEO's base salary ranks second in the peer group and is 29% higher than the median. Following the Swiss National Bank's decision to remove the EUR/CHF floor, the spread compared to the median has further increased.
B.2) Other fixed remuneration (CHF 5.5 million)
Ethos notes that the requested amount is significantly higher than the amount paid in the past 9 years (maximum amount over the period of CHF 4.4 million and an average of CHF 2.66 million). CHF 3 million of this amount is estimated for benefits such as housing and children's school fees. Novartis does not provide further details regarding the difference between the requested amount and the historical effective amount.
B.3) Variable remuneration (maximum annual incentive of CHF 23 million and long term incentive plan of CHF 46 million)
Novartis mentions in the meeting agenda that the target amount of the annual incentive for the 9 members of the executive management is CHF 11.5 million (if 100% of undisclosed targets is reached) and that the maximum potential amount of CHF 23 million is paid only upon achieving 200% of the targets. As stipulated in the meeting agenda, 50% of the annual incentive is paid in Novartis shares restricted for 3 years (meaning that the beneficiary will receive the shares only if he is still employed by the company 3 years after grant).
Regarding the targets, Novartis mentions that the performance measurement is based on a payout matrix made up of individual balanced scorecard (including financial targets) and achievements regarding the Novartis Values and Behaviors principles.
For the long term incentive plan, the targeted amount to be granted in conditional shares (upon reaching 100% of the targets) is CHF 23 million while the maximum amount (without share price appreciation at the end of the three year performance period) is CHF 46 million. The vesting of the shares will depend on Novartis' performance between 2016 and 2018. The performance criteria is the Novartis Group Cash Value Added, divisional long term innovation milestones and Novartis' relative total shareholder return (TSR) compared to 12 healthcare companies. Depending on the performance, the final number of shares to vest in three years can vary between 0% and 200%. The CHF 46 million requested shall be not sufficient in case of a 200% leverage level achievement coupled with the share price appreciation. Novartis does not intend to hold an additional vote if the amount is not sufficient.
Novartis does not provide the amount reserved for the company CEO but only provides general figures. Based on the 2014 remuneration report, the company CEO's targeted variable remuneration was 450% of his base salary and could reach 900% in case of overachievement. Therefore, based on the 2014 base salary of the company CEO, Ethos estimates that a maximum amount of approximatey CHF 20 million is reserved for Mr. Jimenez.
B.4) Total remuneration
Based on Novartis information, the targeted total remuneration of the company CEO is CHF 11.3 million while the median targeted remuneration of the other CEO of Novartis' peers is CHF 14 million. Ethos also notes that Novartis' remuneration structure is among the best in the peer group as the entire long term awards have performance conditions which is not the case in other companies where part of the long term award are only "time-vesting" awards.
B.5) Ethos assessement
Ethos considers that the remuneration structure is adequate as most of the variable remuneration is deferred and subject to the achievement of pre-defined targets (not disclosed).
The 2014 level of base salary of the company CEO (approx. CHF 2 million) significantly exceeds the median of the peer group of international pharmaceuticals companies. However, the targeted total remuneration (including on-target variable remuneration) stands below the median of Novartis' international peer group. There is no information on the maximum variable remuneration of the CEO of the peer group.
The company requests a potential variable remuneration of CHF 69 million for 9 persons without disclosing a range of performance targets for attribution.
The requested total variable remuneration represents 726% of the total requested base salaries. Ethos' limit for variable remuneration is 300% of the base salary for outstanding achievements.
While Ethos commends the company's transparency regarding the 2014 remuneration report (see ITEM 6.3), it considers that the level of transparency provided to shareholders to prospectively approve the 2016 variable remuneration is insufficient. Ethos therefore clearly favors a retrospective vote on variable remuneration which allows companies to better explain the pay for performance connections.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
C) Ethos' Recommendation
While Ethos considers that Novartis has made significant progress in terms of transparency and remuneration structure, it considers that the total maximum potential variable remuneration requested for the executive management is too high. A retrospective vote of the variable remuneration would be more adequate to allow shareholders to assess the effective variable remuneration payment against performance achievements. As mentioned above, the remuneration structure is not in line with Ethos' guidelines. In particular, the maximal potential variable remuneration is far above Ethos' limit of 300%. Therefore, Ethos, in accordance with point 4.5.c of its voting guidelines, recommends to OPPOSE.
Advisory vote on the 2014 remuneration report
The board of directors requests an advisory vote on the remuneration report included in the annual report. While the vote is not binding, it allows shareholders to send a message to the board that could help shape executive remuneration. The remuneration report describes the remuneration policy and discloses the remuneration paid to both non-executive board members and members of the executive board. Section 4 of this report includes the description and detailed figures of the 2014 remuneration of the board of directors and of the members of the executive management of the company.
A) Ethos' Appraisal of the Remuneration System
Positive features
The company discloses the precise performance conditions for the annual bonus, as well as the target and maximum bonus as a percentage of the base salary. In addition, the level of bonus paid with regard to the performance achieved during the year under review is clearly explained in the remuneration report. Ethos welcomes the improvements made by Novartis in the 2014 remuneration report.
For the long-term incentive plan, Novartis explains in detail the vesting level of the 2012-2014 plan that vested in 2014.
Novartis discloses the individual remuneration of the 9 members of the executive management which exceeds the requirement of the Swiss company law.
While Novartis is very transparent with regard to the targets and achievements of the company CEO, Novartis provides little information regarding the 9 other members of the management.
B.2) Remuneration Structure: Board Members
During the year under review, the chairman of the board, Mr. Reinhardt, received CHF 3'957'844 (not comparable to 2013 as he joined the board in August) of which 50% is taken in unrestricted shares, while the other members of the board received on average CHF 427'270 (-26.2%) of which 50% in company shares. The chairman's remuneration is 9.3 times the average remuneration of the other members of the board.
Positive features
The non-executive directors do not receive any performance-related remuneration or options, which is compliant with best practice.
Part of their remuneration is paid in shares, which helps to align the interests of the board members with those of the shareholders.
As mentioned under item 6.1 of this AGM, Ethos considers that the level of remuneration of the board members is high compared to peers.
Shares granted to the board chairman are unrestricted. This is surprising since the goal of granting shares is to align the interests of the beneficiary with the interests of the shareholders. However, Novartis' chairman is required to hold 30'000 Novartis shares (CHF 2.7 million). Ethos considers that the shareholding requirement should represents an aggregate value equivalent to one-year remuneration which is not the case at Novartis.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
B.3) Remuneration Structure: Executive Management
Members of the executive management, including the CEO, have a base salary and can receive variable remuneration under 3 incentive plans, which are described in detail under section 4.4 of this report. For the year under review, the company CEO, Mr. Jimenez, received a total remuneration of CHF 12'648'490 (-4.4%), of which 81% is variable. His total variable remuneration at grant represents 4.95 times his base salary. The other members of the management received on average CHF 4'360'671 (-15.4%), of which 73% is variable. Their total variable remuneration at grant represents 3.82 times their average base salary.
Positive features
For the first time in 2014, the remuneration was awarded based on the new remuneraton structure that entered into force as of 1 January 2014. However, the vesting of the awards made in 2012 that vested at year-end 2014 is still part of the old long term incentive plan. The first final grant under the new long term incentive plan is due to vest for the first time at year-end 2016.
Novartis has provided extensive information to demonstrate the pay for performance connections. For the financial year 2014, the board of Novartis has considered that targets were exceeded. This resulted in an effective short term variable remuneration for the company CEO of 138% of the targeted remuneration.
Based on Ethos performance assessement model, Novartis performance in 2014 was above the median of the peer group (pharmaceutical companies including in the MSCI World Index and SPI Index). Granting an "above-target" bonus is therefore acceptable (Ethos performance assessement model evaluates the relative peformance of the company against company active in the same industry on three dimensions: delta EBITDA/sales, relative TSR and relative ratio of ROIC / WACC).
Ethos' 2015 voting guidelines recommend that, in principle, the total variable remuneration (including short-term and long-term incentives) should not exceed 3 times the base salary for the CEO and 2 times the base salary for the other members of the executive management. At Novartis, the total variable remuneration 2014 (including the 2014 STI of CHF 4 million and target grant on the long-term plan 2014-2016), was CHF 10.2 million for the CEO, representing 4.95 times his base salary (3.82 times for the other members of management).
C) Ethos' Recommendation
In view of the above concerns, Ethos, in accordance with point 4.1.b of its voting guidelines, recommends to OPPOSE.
Elections to the board of directors
The board of directors proposes to re-elect 10 of its 11 members for a one-year term and to newly appoint Dr. Nancy C. Andrews to serve for a 1-year term. Prof. h.c. Dr. rer. pol. Ulrich Lehner is not standing for re-election at this AGM.
Main features of board composition after the AGM (for more details, see section 5 of this report)
Combination of the functions of Chairman and CEO
% independent directors
% executive directors
% women directors
Average age of directors
Average board tenure
Novartis considers all its board members as independent in accordance with the company's own criteria and the criteria set by the NYSE for foreign issuers. However, based on Ethos' voting guidelines, Ethos cannot consider as independent Mr. Reinhardt (former executive of the company), Prof. Dr. oec. Datar (on the board for more than 12 years), Dr. Sawyer (due to business relations) and Mr. Landolt (important shareholder via Emasan and on the board for more than 12 years). However, since more than 50% of the board members are independent, the composition of the board is in line with Ethos voting guidelines.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
In 2014, the board met 8 times with a high attendance rate. Only Mr. Lehner, who does not stand for re-election this year, did not attend 100% of the board and committee meetings.
In terms of diversity, Novartis is among the leading Swiss companies with a ratio of 27.3% of female directors (upon approval of the election of Ms Nancy Andrews).
Re-elect Dr. Jörg Reinhardt as board chairman
The board proposes to re-elect Dr. Jörg Reinhardt (German, 58) for a further 1-year term. Dr. Reinhardt has been board member since 2013 and is considered affiliated by Ethos due to his position as full time chairman and his remuneration of CHF 3.8 million. Ethos notes that Dr. Reinhardt is a former executive of Novartis. Dr. Reinhardt joined Sandoz in 1982 and, following the merger that created Novartis in 1996, became head of preclinical development and project management at Novartis. In 2008, he became COO of Novartis until January 2010.
Novartis proposes a single vote for the election of Dr. Reinhardt as board member and chairman of the board. Ethos generally prefers two separate votes. Ethos has no reserves regarding this reelection and, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-elect Dr. Dimitri Azar
The board proposes to re-elect Dr. Dimitri Azar (US Citizen, 55) for a further 1-year term. He has been board member since 2012 and is currently member of the audit committee and of the research & development committee. He is considered independent. Dr. Azar is the Dean of the College of Medicine of the University of Illinois at Chicago (USA) specialised in ophthalmologic surgery.
Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-elect Prof. Dr. Verena Briner
The board proposes to re-elect Prof. Dr. Verena Briner (Swiss, 64) for a further 1-year term. She has been board member since 2013 and is currently member of the risk committee. She is considered independent.
She is currently Chief Medical Officer and Head of Department at the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital. Novartis has not disclosed and Ethos is not aware of potential business connections between Novartis and the Lucerne Hospital that might impair Dr. Briner's independence. Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-elect Prof. Dr. oec. Srikant Datar
The board proposes to re-elect Prof. Dr. oec. Srikant Datar (US Citizen, 62) for a further 1-year term. He has been board member since 2003 and is currently member of the audit committee (chairman) the compensation committee and the risk committee. Dr. Datar is a chartered accountant and is considered as financial expert for the audit committee.
Ethos notes that Dr. Datar is board member of 3 other listed companies (T-Mobile (USA), Stryker Corporation (USA) and ICF International (USA)). Dr. Datar is considered affiliated as he has been sitting on the board for more than 12 years. Since the board consists of more than 50% independent directors and that Dr. Datar attended 100% of the board and committee meetings, Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-elect Ms. Ann M. Fudge
The board proposes to re-elect Ms. Ann M. Fudge (US Citizen, 64) for a further 1-year term. She has been board member since 2008 and is currently member of the corporate governance and nomination committee, the compensation committee and the risk committee. She is considered independent.
Ethos, in accordancee with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
Re-elect Mr. Pierre Landolt
The board proposes to re-elect Mr. Pierre Landolt (Swiss, 68) for a further 1-year term. He has been board member since 1996 and is currently member of the corporate governance and nomination committee (chairman). He is considered affiliated as he has been sitting on the board for more than 12 years as representative of Emasan, that holds a 3.3% stake in Novartis. He is also board member of several companies in which he has direct interests (see board of directors report).
Since the board consists of more than 50% independent directors, Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-elect Dr. iur. Andreas von Planta
The board proposes to re-elect Dr. iur. Andreas von Planta (Swiss, 60) for a further 1-year term. He has been board member since 2006 and is currently member of the audit committee, the corporate governance and nomination committee and the risk committee (chairman). He is considered independent.
Dr. von Planta is board member of Helvetia. He holds several other mandates in non listed companies. Dr. von Planta attended 100% of the board and committee meetings. Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-elect Prof. Dr. Charles L. Sawyers
The board proposes to re-elect Prof. Dr. Charles L. Sawyers (US Citizen, 56) for a further 1-year term. He has been board member since 2013 and is currently member of the research and development committee.
Novartis mentions that Dr. Sawyers co-developed Novartis' cancer drug (Glivec). Dr. Sawyers is Charman of the Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center (USA), where Novartis has a licensing agreement to develop a new monoclonal antibody series that Novartis will be able to develop for all indications. In exchange, Novartis paid an up-front amount and will make potential payments in the future upon achievement of development, regulatory and sales milestones as well as annual net sales royalty payments to the Center. For all these reasons, Ethos cannot consider Dr. Sawyers as independent.
Since the board consists of more than 50% independent directors, Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-elect Dr. Enrico Vanni
The board proposes to re-elect Dr. Enrico Vanni (Swiss, 64) for a further 1-year term. He has been board member since 2011 and is currently member of the audit committee, the compensation committee (chairman) and of the research and development committee. He is considered independent.
Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-elect Mr. William Winters
The board proposes to re-elect Mr. William Winters (British, 54) for a further 1-year term. He has been board member since 2013 and is candidate to the compensation committee. He is considered independent. Mr. Winters is CEO and Chairman of Renshaw Bay, London, an alternative asset management and advisory company founded in partnership with Mr. Johann Rupert's Reinet Investment and Lord Jacob Rothschild's RIT Capital Partners.
Mr. Winters is former co-CEO of JP Morgan Investment Bank. Ethos notes that, based on Bloomberg data, JP Morgan Investment Bank was not one of the 5 top advisors of Novartis for M&A activities and last advised Novartis in 2008. Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
Elect Dr. Nancy C. Andrews
The board proposes to newly appoint Dr. Nancy C. Andrews (US Citizen, 57) for a 1-year term. Dr. Andrews holds a medical degree from Harvard Medical School and a Ph.D. in biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is currently Dean of the School of Medicine at Duke University. Dr. Andrews is member of the Council of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (USA), as well as member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is considered independent.
Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Elections to the compensation committee
The board of directors proposes to re-elect 3 of the 4 members of the compensation committee to serve for a one-year team and to newly appoint Mr. William Winters for a 1-year term. Prof. h.c. Dr. rer. pol. Ulrich Lehner is not standing for re-election as he is leaving the board of directors at this AGM. The board of directors intends to designate again Dr. Enrico Vanni as Chairman of the compensation committee, subject to his re-election as a member.
Re-elect Prof. Dr. oec. Srikant Datar to the compensation committee
The board proposes to re-elect Prof. Dr. oec. Srikant Datar to the compensation committee for a 1-year term. Dr. Datar brings valuable financial expertise to the compensation committee. He is considered affiliated, but, since the committee consists of more than 50% independent directors, Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-elect Ms. Ann M. Fudge to the compensation committee
The board proposes to re-elect Ms. Ann M. Fudge to the compensation committee for a 1-year term. Ethos has no special concerns regarding Ms. Fudge's membership of the compensation committee. She is independent and brings leadership and marketing experience as former chairwoman of a global marketing communications company.
Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, reommends to vote FOR.
Re-elect Dr. Enrico Vanni to the compensation committee
The board proposes to elect Dr. Enrico Vanni to the compensation committee for a 1-year term. Dr. Vanni brings his great experience as senior consultant at McKinsey specialising in the pharma industry. Dr. Vanni is independent.
Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Elect Mr. William Winters to the compensation committee
The board proposes to elect Mr. William Winters to the compensation committee for a 1-year term. Ethos has no special concerns regarding Mr. Winters' presence in the compensation committee. He is independent and has a broad experience in finance as Chairman/CEO of Renshaw Bay and former co-CEO of JPMorgan Investment Bank.
Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-election of the auditors
The board of directors recommends that shareholders ratify the re-appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers as the company's external auditors for a further 1-year term.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Analyse de l'assemblée
Audit versus non-audit fees
Non-audit fees / Audit fees (2014)
Non-audit fees / Audit fees (3-year aggregate)
Ethos, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Re-election of the independent proxy
The Minder ordinance, which entered into force on 1 January 2014, requires that the independent proxy be elected by the shareholders. The board of directors therefore proposes the appointment of lic. iur. Peter Andreas Zahn as independent proxy for a 1-year term.
Ethos is not aware of any potential conflict of interests and, in accordance with its voting guidelines, recommends to vote FOR.
Transact any other business
Ethos recommends to oppose any unannounced additional proposals made during the AGM either by the board or by a shareholder. The formal meeting agenda does not include this proposal which is only included in the proxy card with no precise item number. Ethos, in accordance with point 9.1 of its voting guidelines, recommends to OPPOSE.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Informations sur la société
Informations sur la société
Company Information
Before the General Meeting of 27 February 2015
3.1 General Information
Basel (BS), Switzerland
Novartis is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies active in research and development as well as marketing of products. Novartis offers its products and services through its three divisions: Pharmaceuticals (61% of the 2014 group's net sales on continuing operations), Alcon (21%) and Sandoz (18%). Furthermore, Novartis holds a 33.3% stake in Roche, representing a market value of USD 14.4 billion at the end of 2014.
In 2014, Novartis announced agreements with GlaxoSmithKline plc, Eli Lilly and Company and CSL Limitted on a set of transactions intended to transform the portfolio of businesses. The aim of these transactions is to strengthen the three divisions of Novartis: pharmaceuticals, eye care and generics. In particular, the oncology business is enhanced.
Total number on 31.12.2014: 133413
of whom 15177 in Switzerland
Dr. Jörg Reinhardt (since 2013), German, aged 59
Joseph Jimenez (since 2010), US Citizen, aged 55
SIX Swiss Exchange (Virt-X)
New York Stock Exchange (ADS)
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Informations sur la société
Registered shares
The company has no authorised or conditional capital. A capital reduction of CHF 14'600'000 is proposed under ITEM 5.
Conditions to file
Nominal value required
Market value required
% of voting share capital
Restriction on re-
Registration with voting rights is limited to 2% for shareholders and shareholder unions. Nominee
gistration of shares
registration is limited to 0.5%, unless full disclosure of beneficial owners is made. Exceptions may be
authorised by the board of directors.
Holders of American Depositary Shares (ADS) may vote by instructing JPMorgan Chase Bank to exercise the voting rights attached to the registered shares underlying the ADS. JPMorgan Chase Bank, as depositary, may exercise the voting rights for deposited shares represented by ADS at its discretion to the extent that the holders of the ADS have not given instructions as to how such underlying shares should be voted.
On 31 December 2014 (no subsequent announcement on the SIX Swiss Exchange):
Shareholders:- Capital Group Companies: 4.98% (voting rights limited to 2%)- Novartis Foundation for Employee Participation: 3.2% with full voting rights- Emasan AG: 3.3% with full voting rights- BlackRock (USA): 3.02 % (voting rights limited to 2%)- Norges Bank (Norway): < 2% with full voting rights
Nominees:- JPMorgan Chase Bank (USA): 9.1%- The Bank of New York Mellon (USA): 4.6%, through its nominees Mellon Bank, USA (2.6%) and The Bank of New York Mellon Brussels, Belgium (2.0%)- Nortrust Nominees (UK): 3.2%
ADS Depositary:- JPMorgan Chase Bank (USA): 11.4% as depositary of ADS listed on the NYSE
Unregistered shares (with no voting rights): 29.82% (including 5.7% held by Novartis as treasury shares)
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Informations sur la société
3.3 Financials and Key Figures
Reporting standard
Net income attributable to shareholders (without
minority interests)
Shareholders' equity
Market capitalisation at year-end
Earnings per registered share (basic)
Dividend per registered share
Payout ratio (on group net income)
Market value per registered share at year end
The payout ratio is given as reported in the annual report 2014. The above figures include the discontinuing operations (vaccines and animal health) representing sales of USD 5.8 billion. The operating loss from discontinuing operations amounts to USD 353 million in 2014.
3.4 External Auditor
PricewaterhouseCoopers, since 1996
Audit related fees
Mr. Bruno Rossi, auditor in charge and Mr. Stephen Johnson, global relationship partner, began serving in their respective roles in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
The audit and compliance committee ensures that the lead auditor changes at least every five years.
Audit related fees include fees for services such as audits of pension and benefit plans, contractual audits of third-party arrangements, assurance services on corporate responsibility reporting and compliance with corporate integrity agreements.
Of the non-audit fees, USD 200'000 was paid for tax services and USD 100'000 for other services (training in the finance area, benchmarking studies, and license fees for use of accounting and other reporting guidance databases).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Rapport de rémunération
Rapport de rémunération
4. Remuneration Report
4.1 Evolution of the Aggregate Remuneration
A Members of the Executive Management
B Board Members (Outside Executive Management)
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Rapport de rémunération
4.2 Global Remuneration Figures
A Members of the Executive Management
Total number of persons (FTE)
Highest paid executive
Average other executives
B Board Members (Outside Executive Management)
Total number of persons (FTE)
Highest paid non-executive
Average other non-executives
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Rapport de rémunération
Members of the executive management:
The executive remuneration includes the following elements:• Base salary• Short-term incentive plan: half paid in cash and half in shares blocked for 3 years (see point 4.4.B of this report)• Two long-term incentive plan in the form of perfomance shares with a 3-year performance period: one based on cash value added and innovation, the other based on relative TSR (see point 4.4.C of this report)• Pensions• Other benefits
The highest paid member of the management was Mr. Jimenez (CEO) both in 2013 and 2014.
All shares are valued at their fair market value at date of grant.
Non-executive board members:
The highest paid non-executive in 2014 is the chairman of the board, Dr. Reinhardt. His remuneration is not comparable to his 2013 remuneration since he joined the board of directors in August 2013.
Non-executive board members receive fixed fees for board membership as well as committee chairmanship and membership fees. At least 50% of the fees must be taken in unrestricted shares. As of 2014, the annual board membership fee (excluding committee fees) has been reduced from CHF 350'000 to CHF 300'000. The vice chairman's compensation will remain at the same level. The committee membership was reduced from CHF 50'000 to CHF 30'000.
Starting 2014, the Board fees are reported on a financial year basis (in 2013 fees were reported from AGM to AGM).
4.3 Individual Remuneration Figures
Individual figures for 2014 (CHF)
A Members of the Executive Management
A. Oswald, Divisional
B. Mc Namara, Divisional
D. Epstein, Divisional
G. Gunn, Divisional
J. George, Divisional
R. Francis, Divisional
B Board Members (Outside Executive Management)
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Rapport de rémunération
A. von Planta, Mbr
• Not included in the remuneration figures, Mr. Francis (who joined the company on 1 May 2014) will receive 41'500 RSU, for an approximate amount of CHF 3.2 million for lost entitlements at his former employer.
• Not included in the remuneration figures, Mr. Brokatzky-Geiger (who left the management on 25 February 2014) received a total compensation of CHF 3'378'360.
• Not included in the remuneration figures, Mr. Buehler (who left the management on 30 April 2014) received a total compensation of CHF 6'141'620.
• The chairman Dr. Reinhardt is receiving a replacement payment totalling EUR 2.6 million to cover lost entitlements at his former employer (not included in the above table). This amount is being paid over the period 2014 to 2016, provided that he remains chairman at Novartis. For financial year 2014, he received a first instalment of EUR 748'000.
• The Sandoz Family Foundation is the economic beneficiary of the compensation received by Pierre Landolt.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Rapport de rémunération
4.4 Best Practice Checklist
A Members of the Executive Management
Each member's remuneration disclosed separately
All pay components disclosed separately (salary, bonus, LTI, pension)
Peer group's companies disclosed
Accrual principle applied
Performance criteria for short-term incentive adequately disclosed
% of annual bonus depending on individual criteria disclosed
Ex-post explanation of the level of achievement of the performance objectives for the
short-term incentive
Performance criteria for the vesting of long-term incentive adequately disclosed
Precise performance objectives for the vesting of the long-term incentive disclosed
Level of vesting of the long-term incentive (in % of the initial grant) disclosed
Shares granted valued at fair market value
Options granted valued at fair market value
B Board Members (Outside Executive Management)
Non-executive directors' fees partly paid in shares
Non-executive directors do not receive options
Non-executive directors do not receive performance based remuneration
Minimum share ownership requirements exist for non-executive board members
Non executive board members are required to own at least 4'000 Novartis shares within 3 years after joining the board of directors (30'000 for the chairman).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Rapport de rémunération
4.5 Remuneration Structure (Executives)
A Remuneration Breakdown
Short-term incentives
Long-term incentives
Of highest paid executive
Of other executives
B Short-term Incentives
Short-term incentives in % of base salary
Of highest paid executive
Of other executives
Performance criteria mentioned:
- Balanced Scorecard: 60% group financial and innovation targets, 40% individual objectives- Novartis Values and Behaviors
Business performance includes: group net sales, group net income, groupe free cash flow as % of sales, corporate net result and weighted average of division innovation.Individual performance is based on the following key areas: specific additional financial targets, innovation and growth targets, portfolio review, organization, quality & customer satisfaction and cross-divisional synergies.
Description of the short-term incentive:
The annual bonus is paid half in cash and half in shares restricted for three years. However, the members may elect to receive more shares instead of cash.
The annual bonus is based on a matrix of two elements: the Balanced Scorecard and Novartis Values and Behaviors. The payout may range from 0% to 200%, depending on the grades.
The target incentive of the CEO is 150% of the base salary and may vary from 0% to 300% depending on the achievement of performance measures. For other members ot the executive committee, the target incentive ranges from 90% to 120% of the base salary and may vary from 0% to two times the target.
The company fullly disclosed in a comprehensive table the 2014 balance scorecard of the CEO as well as his final performance factor (130%).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Rapport de rémunération
C Long-term Incentives
Fair value at grant date disclosed
Vesting period for time-vesting awards
Performance period
Sale restriction after performance/vesting period
Absolute performance criteria for vesting
Relative performance criteria for vesting
Initial grant for the highest paid (in % of the base salary)
Minimum final grant (in % of initial grant)
Maximum final grant (in % of initial grant)
Maximum payout (valued at date of grant, in % of the base salary)
Plan 1: Long-Term Performance Plan (LTPP)This plan is the performance share plan under which conditional shares are granted annually and tested against the company's "Cash Value Added" (NCVA) and up to 10 key Innovation Milestones, which weight respectively 75% and 25% of the plan, over a three-year performance cycle. The initial grant is 200% of the base salary for the CEO and ranges from 140% to 190% for other executive committee members. Depending on the performance achieved, between 0% and 200% of the conditional award will be granted at the end of the performance period.
Plan 2: Long-Term Relative Performance Plan (LTRPP)This plan is the performance share plan under which conditional shares are granted annually and tested against the company's "Total Shareholder Return" (TSR) in comparison with a peer group of 12 disclosed companies in the healthcare industry after a three-year performance period. The initial grant is 100% of the base salary for the CEO and ranges from 30% to 90% for other executive committee members. Depending on the performance achieved, between 0% and 200% of the conditional award will be granted at the end of the performance period.
100% of the awards vest if Novartis' TSR ranks sixth out of the 13 companies included in the peer group and 0% of the awards if Novartis' TSR ranks eleventh or below.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Rapport de rémunération
4.6 Remuneration and Financial Performance
A Change in Remuneration 2013-2014
Highest paid executive
Average other executives
Highest paid non-executive
Average other non-executives
B Change in Financial Performance 2013-2014
Total shareholder return
The highest paid non-executive last year was already Dr. Reinhardt, Chairman, but he joined the board of directors only in August 2013.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Rapport de rémunération
4.7 Share and Option Holdings
A Members of the Executive Management
B Board Members (Outside Executive Management)
The above figures include vested (705'137) and unvested shares for the executive management.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Conseil d'administration
Conseil d'administration
5. Board of Directors
Composition after the General Meeting of 27 February 2015
Board of Directors
Nomination committee
Remuneration committee
Election procedure for directors
Mandatory age limit
Number of board meetings during the past year
8 (98% attendance)
Number of audit committee meetings during the past year
7 (97% attendance)
Number of remuneration committee meetings during the past year
6 (96% attendance)
Number of nomination committee meetings during the past year
4 (100% attendance)
Number of risk committee meetings during the past year
4 (100% attendance)
Individual attendance rate at board meetings disclosed
- Dr. Vasella has been appointed honorary chairman in recognition of his achievements for Novartis. Dr. Vasella has no rights associated with this role and does not attend board meetings.- At this general meeting, Dr. Lehner (member of the compensation committee, audit and compliance committee, and the governance, nomination and corporate responsabilities committee) will not stand for re-election.- On 1 January 2014, the Chairman's committee was disbanded and a new Research & Development committee was created. Other committee corresponds to this new committee. Three meetings were held in 2014 with 100% attendance. - Average duration of meetings: Board meetings (7h30), Audit and Compliance committee (3h00), Risk committtee (2h00), Compensation committee (3h00), Governance, Nomination and Corporate Responsibilities committee (2h00) and Research and Development committee (8h00).- Dr. Lehner was the sole director who did not attend 100% of the board and committee meetings. Dr. Lehner does not seek re-election at this AGM. - The tasks of the Corporate Governance committee were extended to include corporate responsibility matters.- On 11 December 2014, Novartis considered that all directors are independent. Ethos cannot consider Messr. Landolt and Datar as independent due to their presence in Novartis' board for more than 12 years. In addition, Mr. Landolt, is chairman of Emasan AG, an important shareholder of the company. Ethos also considers Dr. Reinhardt, chairman, as non independent due to his full time position and his annual remuneration of CHF 3.8 million. Finally, Ethos considers Dr. Sawyers as non independent due to the business relationship between Novartis and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (USA), where he is Chair of the human oncology and pathogenesis program.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Conseil d'administration
Dr. Jörg Reinhardt
Up for Re-election
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Other committee, Chairman
– Miscellaneous
Full time chairman and remuneration of CHF 3.8 million.
CEO of Bayer Pharmaceuticals (2010-2013).COO of Novartis (2008-2010).CEO of the Vaccines & Diagnostics Division at Sandoz (2006-2008).
Up for Re-election
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Audit committee– Remuneration committee, Chairman– Other committee
– Independent, Consultant
– Denzler & Partners, Member– Banque Privée BCP (Suisse) SA, Member– Eclosion2 SA, Member– Advanced Oncotherapy Plc (UK), Member– Banque Lombard Odier & Cie SA, Member– Jan-Autos Holding SA, Member
Former head of European Pharmaceutical Practice at McKinsey (2004-2007).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Conseil d'administration
Dr. Nancy C. Andrews
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Duke University School of Medicine (USA), Dean
Other relevant mandates
– Council of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, Member– American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Member
Up for Re-election
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Audit committee– Other committee
– University of Illinois at Chicago (USA), College of Medicine, Dean
Other relevant mandates
– American Ophthalmological Society (USA), Member– Chicago Ophthalmological Society (USA), Member– Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (USA), Member– Chicago Medical Society (USA), Member
Ophthalmologic surgeon.Professor of Ophthalmology, Bioengineering and Pharmacology at the University of Illinois at Chicago (USA).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Conseil d'administration
Prof. Dr. Verena Briner
Up for Re-election
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Risk committee
– Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Department of Medicine, Chief Medical Officer and Head of department
Other relevant mandates
– Swiss Society of Internal Medicine, Member– Foundation for the Development of Internal Medicine in Europe, Member– Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences, Member– Patient Safety Foundation, Member– SGIM-Foundation , Member– Journal of Inter-cantonal convention on high-specilaized medicine (IVHSM), Member
Professor on internal medicine at the University of Basel.Specialist in Internal Medicine and Nephrology.
Prof. Dr. oec. Srikant Datar
Up for Re-election
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Audit committee, Chairman– Remuneration committee– Risk committee
– Board membership exceeding time limit for independence
– Harvard Business School, Arthur Lowes Dickinson Professor
– Stryker (USA), Member– T-Mobile US (USA), Member– ICF International (USA), Member
Dr. Datar has worked with many corporations, including GM, Mellon Bank, General Chemicals, Solectron, TRW, VISA, AT&T, Boeing and DuPont on field-based projects in management accounting.Chartered Accountant.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Conseil d'administration
Up for Re-election
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Nomination committee– Remuneration committee– Risk committee
– General Electric (USA), Member– Unilever N.V. (Netherlands), Member– Unilever PLC (United Kingdom), Member
Other relevant mandates
– Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, U.S. Programs Advisory Panel (USA), Chairwoman– Rockefeller Foundation (USA), Honorary director– Brookings (USA), Honorary director– Harvard University Corporation Committee on Finance (USA), Member– Council on Foreign Relations, Member
Chairwoman and CEO of Young & Rubicam Brands (USA) (2003-2006).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Conseil d'administration
Up for Re-election
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Nomination committee, Chairman
– Important shareholder or its representative– Board membership exceeding time limit for independence
Representative of Emasan AG, important shareholder of the company.
– Banque Landolt & Cie, Associate Partner
– AxialPar Ltda (Brazil), Chairman– Emasan AG, Chairman– Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier SA, Chairman– Moco Agropecuaria Ltda (Brazil), Chairman– Watch Around SA, Chairman– Parmigiani Fleurier SA, Vice Chairman– EcoCarbone SAS (France), Member– Amazentis SA, Member and Co-Founder
Other relevant mandates
– Sandoz Family Foundation, Chairman– Instituto Estrela de Fomento ao Microcrédito (Brazil), Chairman– Instituto Fazenda Tamanduá (Brazil), Chairman– Montreux Jazz Festival Foundation, Vice Chairman
Chairman of CITCO Group (1995-2005).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Conseil d'administration
Prof. Dr. Charles L. Sawyers
Up for Re-election
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Other committee
– Business relationship
Is Chair of the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center that has a licencing agreement with Novartis to produce a series of monoclonal antibodies.
– Weill-Cornell University (US), Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Professor
Other relevant mandates
– Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (USA), Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Chairman– President Obama's National Cancer Advirory Board (USA), Member– US National Academy of Sciences (USA), Member– Institute of Medicine (USA), Member
Cancer researcher. Co-developer of Novartis' cancer drug, Glivec.Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Conseil d'administration
Dr. iur. Andreas von Planta
Up for Re-election
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Audit committee– Nomination committee– Risk committee, Chairman
– Lenz & Staehelin Law Firm, Partner
– Nationale Suisse Assurances, Chairman– Helvetia, Member– Générale-Beaulieu Holding SA, Chairman– HSBC Private Banking Holdings (Suisse) SA, Chairman– AP Moller Finance SA, Vice Chairman– Raymond Weil SA, Member– Burberry (Suisse) SA, Member– Socotab Frana SA, Member
Other relevant mandates
– SIX Swiss Exchange, Regulatory Board, Chairman– Swiss Review of Business Law, Board of Editors, Member
Nationale Suisse Assurances is actually taken over by Helvetia. The merger should be finalized in the first half of 2015.
Up for Re-election
Director since / term ends
Committee memberships
– Remuneration committee
– Renshaw Bay (UK), Chairman/CEO
– Pension Insurance Corporation (UK), Member
Other relevant mandates
– International Rescue Committee (US), Member– Colgate university (US), Member– Young Vic Theatre (UK), Member– The Print Room (UK), Member
Co-CEO of JPMorgan Investment Bank (2003-2010).
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
AGM (Annual General Meeting)
Assemblée générale ordinaire
Taux de présence
Honorare für Revisionsdienstleistungen
Honoraires de révision
Audit-related fees
Honorare für revisionsnahe Dienstleistungen
Honoraires pour les services liés à la révision
Autorised capital
Genehmigtes Kapital
Capital autorisé
Action au porteur
Séance du conseil d'administration
Membres du conseil d'administration
Board of directors
Conseil d'administration
Detaillierte Offenlegung
Répartition détaillée
Capital contribution reserves
Reserven aus Kapitaleinlagen
Réserves issues d'apports en capital
CEO (Chief Executive Officer)
Président de la direction générale
Président du conseil d'administration
Chairman's committee
Ausschuss des Verwaltungsratspräsidenten
Comité du président du conseil d'administration
Committee meeting
Séance du comité
Conditional capital
Bedingtes Kapital
Capital conditionnel
Corporate governance committee
Ausschuss für Corporate Governance
Comité de gouvernance d'entreprise
Dividend rights certificates
Bons de participation
Earnings per share
Bénéfice par action
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EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting)
Assemblée générale extraordinaire
Election procedure for directors
Wahlverfahren für Verwaltungsräte
Procédure d'élection des administrateurs
Executive management
Direction générale
Externe Revisionsstelle
Beizulegender Zeitwert
Financial performance
Performance financière
Financial reporting
Information financière
Données financières
General information
Allgemeine Informationen
Informations générales
Global remuneration figures
Highest paid executive
Höchstbezahltes Mitglied der Konzernleitung
Membre le mieux rémunéré de la direction générale
Important shareholders
Bedeutende Aktionäre
Actionnaires importants
Individual remuneration figures
Internes Kontrollsystem
Contrôle interne
LTIP (Long-term incentive plan)
Plan de participation à long terme
Mandatory age limit
Limite d'âge statutaire
Market capitalisation
Valeur boursière
NA (Not available)
ND (Not disclosed)
Nicht offengelegt
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Neuer Kanditat / Neue Kandidatin
Nomination and remuneration committee
Nominations- und Vergütungsausschuss
Comité de nomination et de rémunération
Nomination committee
Comité de nomination
Honorare für nicht revisionsbezogene
Honoraires non liés à la révision
Non-voting equity securities
Bons de jouissance
Délai de préavis
NR (Not relevant)
Résultat d'exploitation
Marge opérationnelle
Taux de distribution du bénéfice
Groupe de référence
Contributions de retraite
Performance criteria
Critères de performance
Action nominative
Remuneration committee
Comité de rémunération
Reporting standard
Restriction on registration of shares or voting
Beschränkungen der Übertragbarkeit der
Restrictions relatives à l'inscription des
Aktien und des Stimmrechts
actions ou aux droits de vote
Rendement des capitaux propres
Comité des risques
Share and option holdings
Aktien- und Optionenbesitz
Détention d'actions et d'options
Shareholder resolution
Shareholders' equity
Short-term incentives
Kurzfristige variable Vergütung
Rémunération à court-terme
Stock ownership requirements
Exigences en matière de détention d'actions
Strategy committee
Comité de stratégie
Sustainability committee
Ausschuss für Nachhaltigkeit
Comité de développement durable
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
Total shareholder return
Gesamte Aktienrendite
Rentabilité de l'action
Up for re-election
AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis
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subsidiary Ethos Services is an acknowledged provider of consulting services comprising socially responsible investment (SRI) funds, shareholder meeting
analyses and an investor engagement and dialogue programme. For further information: www.ethosfund.ch.
Frequently used abbreviations
Annual General Meeting
Extraordinary General Meeting
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Other Executive Function
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AGO 27.02.2015 Novartis